Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections: Home

Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections supports the mission of the University of Wyoming Libraries to provide information resources and services to meet the instructional, research, and outreach needs of UW Students, faculty and staff. It also serves the research needs of Wyoming citizens as well as researchers from around the world. There are more than 50,000 published items located within Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections primarily related to Wyoming's history and culture. Collections include:

• Grace Raymond Hebard Collection (largest collection)
• General Special Collections (see below)
• Canoso Miniature Book Collection
• Cheramy Native American Collection
• Far West Library of Howard H Hays
• Hebard Historic Map Collection
• Historic University of Wyoming Collection
• Historic Clothing Collection
• Ravage Collection
• UW Wool Laboratory Collection
• W.R. Coe Collection

General Special Collections

Materials held in the general special collections include items deemed to be of high value, possibly rare, but that do not fall under the collection guidelines of the Toppan Rare Books Library. These materials have been donated and collected throughout the University libraries history; and encompass a wide variety of subjects, national and international in scope.

Both Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections and the American Heritage Center collect information about and from the University of Wyoming to support research and teaching, as well as course work. While Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections collects and makes available published UW information, the American Heritage Center serves as the repository for unpublished University Archives. Formats in special collections include bulletins and catalogs, research reports, administrative materials and records, The Branding Iron (student newspaper), WYO (student yearbook), books, film, video, audio recordings, and maps

Search the library catalog for UW publications. 

Emmett D. Chisum (1918 - 2009) was born in Sicily Island, Louisiana, but lived most of his life in Laramie, Wyoming.

He earned two master's degrees from the University of Wyoming - one in political science and the other in history. He worked for both UW Libraries and the American heritage Center, and earned the title of Professor Emeritus. Mr. Chisum was married to Geneva DeWolf who passed away in 2007.

Mr. Chisum had a variety of interests and was a prolific researcher. He published articles and guides on education, literature, UW history, and notable Wyoming individuals. His historical writings include The Influence of Wyoming Governors' Message on Legislation 1890-1939, Wyoming Football 1893-1947, and Memories: University of Wyoming Centennial 1886-1986.